In this SVKW Team Info Newsletter:

• 2026 Coaches
• Prospective Family Q&A
• Volunteer Job Updates
• Swimsuit and Cap Reminders:
• May 11 Deadline to order Customized Swim Caps
• Swimtopia & Team Communications
• Big Whale / Little Whale
• Welcome Back Party: Please RSVP
• Special May Practice Schedule
• Swim Practice Policies
• 2026 Team Meets & Events: Subscribe to the Sign-Up Calendar
• SVKW Sponsor Shout-Outs
• May 16 Chipotle Fundraiser Flier, 4pm - 8pm

Hi Killer Whales!

Welcome to the 2026 SV Killer Whale Swim Team! We've loved seeing all the registrations flowing in, and we're counting down to our first swim practice. Thank you for choosing the SVKW.

This year, we're welcoming back Coach Jim, Rosemary (Beluga+KW), James, Callie, Lyla, and Julia! We appreciate all you do, and we're excited to see you on deck again this year. You'll also notice some new, but familiar, faces in the coaches line up as Luke Keen, Noah Keen, and Cal Helmedag join our junior coaching team. Check out all their bios on our coaches page!

New and Prospective families are invited to join us for a time of Q&A on May 9th, 3:00 pm - 4:00 am at the SV Pool. We'll have board members and coaches available to answer any questions about our team. Anyone with questions is welcome to attend as well! On May 23 we'll have an orientation for new families who have joined the team. 

All meets are now open for declaration if you want to get a head start (we'll send instructions soon). Please make sure to use the sign-up calendar to RSVP for all social events throughout the season as well.

Read on for more details for this season! This is a newsy email but just keep swimming through it for all the latest info. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! We look forward to soaking up the sun with you this summer.

Sincerely,

Your SVKW Swim Team Board

Volunteer Job Update:

Thank you all for a smooth registration process, and to those who stepped into our season-long roles!. Take a moment to log into your SwimTopia acct and confirm that you are signed up for all 5 of the required volunteer credits per family. If you need help, email our volunteer team.

Still OPEN: End of Year Awards Celebration Coordinator (event is July 18). Grab a friend and snag this role that fulfills all 5 of your credits. Coordinate all aspects of the end of the season Awards Night. The event will be held on July 18th for medals and a ceremony at an indoor location. There is a checklist to follow, but the main responsibilities include organizing decorations, setting up the slide show (put together by the photographer), and setting up the space. The date/time has been confirmed with the venue already. You will have volunteers arrive one hour before the ceremony to help set up tables, awards, and decorations. Please confirm your availability for the event date and also the weeks prior for planning.

Swimsuit and Cap Information:

What's the next step after registering? Head over to Kiefer Aquatics on Maynard Rd to try on and purchase a team swimsuit prior to our Red and White Meet. Several people have reported that they may run big, so this is a good year to purchase in person (Swimsuit cost and details).

Our custom Swim Cap Deadline is May 11 (Flier attached and on swimsuit page, click this link to order.) You can purchase our standard SVKW Caps at the welcome back party, as well as at home meets.

2026 Swimsuit TSA reminders:  While old team styles and generic red/black swimsuits are allowed, please remember (per TSA rules) that swimmers are "not permitted to wear or use any device, substance, or swimsuit to help their speed, pace, buoyancy, or endurance during a race." This includes wearing tech suits, such as Speedo Aquablade, Arena Powerskins, TYR Aerofit, or kneeskins. Also, please avoid wearing any gear with year-round swim logos

SwimTopia Team Communications:

Next up, download the Swimtopia App! We send team emails and alerts through Swimtopia as our primary method of communication. Team emails are sent to the email you used to register. All our communications are also copied to our news feed (under the About tab).

SwimTopia App Alerts: We also send out alerts for time-sensitive information. Take a moment to download the SwimTopia app and turn on the full notification options so you don’t miss weather alerts, last-minute changes to meets, and other time-sensitive info sent out to the team.

A note on Swimtopia Pro (it’s optional): Upgrading to Pro allows you to get upcoming swim event notifications at meets and shows swimmer times as they are finalized by our meet admins.

Big Whales / Little Whales

Come to our Welcome Back Party before and after the younger kids' practice to meet and hang with your Little Whales (lists and details will be sent out soon to those who signed up! Any questions can be directed to our coordinator, Sarah Hunter.

Welcome Back Party: Please RSVP on the Sign Up Calendar

2026 May Practice Schedule:

The first few practices this season will look a bit different as we've adjusted times to match when the pool is open. These practices will be dependent on the pool temperatures, so please keep an eye on Swimtopia alerts for last-minute cancellations or adjusted plans. The age group practice times and full season practice schedule can be found here.

• Saturday, 5/16, KW morning practice
• Sunday, 5/17 KW morning practice
• Friday, 5/22 KW evening practice
• Saturday, 5/23 KW morning practice
• Sunday, 5/24 KW morning practice
• Monday, 5/25: No practice due to Memorial Day
• Tuesday, 5/26 KW evening practices (the only Tuesday night practice)

Click here for Practice Policies. Please note that when the SV pool is closed during morning practice times, only swimmers practicing with their age group should be in the pool or on the lower deck near the pool. Please make a point to collect your swimmer promptly after their age group practice is over. Families with siblings can wait under the pool house or on the upper deck area.

2026 Season Calendar of Meets and Events

Mark your calendars for our season meets and events! Calendar Subscriptions: You can subscribe to the Sign-Up Calendar to add all the events to your personal calendar. Simply click "Subscribe" at the top of the page and then select your preferred calendar type.

• 5/9 Prospective Family Q&A
• 5/16-17 Morning KW Practice
• 5/16 Chipotle Fundraiser (flier attached)
• 5/22-24 Morning KW Practice
• 5/23 New Family Orientation
• 5/26 Evening Practice Begins
• 5/30 RSA Skills Clinic
• 6/2 Red-White Meet (Spirit Wear for Sale)
• 6/4 2nd New Family Orientation
• 6/6 WAVE Skills Clinic
• 6/8 Pasta Pump Up
• 6/9 Sunset Ridge Meet (home)
• 6/13 TAC Skills Clinic
• 6/15 Daily Morning Practices Start
• 6/16 Scottish Hills Meet (away)
• 6/18 Tie-Dye Event
• 6/20 MOR Skills Clinic
• 6/22 Drawing and Donuts
• 6/23 Medfield Meet (away)
• 6/30 Abbington Meet (home)
• 7/7 Dutchman Downs Meet (home)
• 7/8 Ice Cream Social + Bingo Night
• 7/11 Cary City Meet
• 7/12: Papa Murphy Fundraiser
• 7/14: Apex Breakers (away)
• 7/18 End of Season Awards Event

Give a big thank you to our 2026 SVKW Sponsors:

• Wake Remodeling
• Jacob's Ladder Painting
• Sea Clearly